Thursday, March 25, 2010

Faith.

I feel nervous posting this. My heart is beating rapidly. Is it because faith is such a personal thing? Or isn't it, shouldn't it be shared?

This is my struggle. I struggle with what my faith calls me to do. If it even calls. Does it call? I DON'T KNOW!

See the struggle?

I've gone to church almost every Sunday (and sometimes Friday, during the school year when I was enrolled in Catholic school) for my entire life. I trailed off a bit when I moved out on my own and didn't have my mother guilting me face-to-face to come. I hadn't gone to church in several months a few years back, and I had gone to visit my grandma and she told me she wished I'd go to church, and that she prayed for me.

Wow. Somebody prayed for me? I pray everyday. Sometimes it's out of habit, I'm fairly OCD at times and I have to do things a certain way often. I pray whenever I see an ambulance, fire truck, or even a police car with their lights on. I pray when I know somebody is sick or in the hospital. I pray whenever somebody asks me to pray. My usual prayer is specific only in that I pray for forgiveness and I pray that my family and friends are watched over and taken care of and protected.

But pray to just talk to God? Um, not so much.

It's not that I don't want to. I just don't get it. I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately. I've come across some blogs that really make me think and dig deeper. I've read that God calls people to do things or give things or say things. How does that happen? Have I ever heard God? I don't think I have. Am I just not listening? I don't even know how to listen.

Am I just not capable of it? It's not a question of belief, I don't think. I'm very confident in my belief that God exists and God provides for me and it's God who has given me life and love. I've never questioned that. So why don't I get to hear it?

I read Linny's blog today, and it made me think. Honestly, I had to look up the word "tithe". I had no idea. I give when I can. I'll give every last dollar or cent in my purse, pocket, floor of the car to a person in need that I see on the street. I often go certain routes just to make sure that I see somebody who I can help, just knowing there's always somebody standing on a particular corner. I donate my clothes and belongings when I can, either to goodwill or to a family in need. We gave presents this past Christmas to a family who had none for their children, who posted on freecycle with their needs, and my 4 year old daughter helped me pack away some toys for another little girl her age. I give to church sometimes. We live paycheck to paycheck (and sometimes we're not even that lucky), and it amazes me that people in our financial situation can give regularly. How do they do it? I need to figure that out.

I could give more. I'm sure we could. Just...how.

I want to give of my time more.

I want to figure out how faith works in my life. I can give specific instances where I know somebody was there protecting us. A light bulb burst in a standing lamp that was directly over my daughter's head when she was a baby, and the glass fell nowhere near her. It wasn't possible, the glass should have hit her. But it didn't. Somebody was there, protecting her. I know it. But I need to know how my faith works in my regular day-to-day life, not just in specific instances. I know that one day, when we are financially better off and we have a house of our own, we want to become foster parents. I'm sure that to make that decision we had to have been called to it, but I don't remember a call, I don't remember anything like that. I just wanted to do it. When I go to school in the fall, I'm working towards a degree that will teach me and guide me to help people in need. Was that another call? It's taken me years to figure out what I want to do with my life - did I figure it out, or did I just finally listen? How do you know?

Reading Linny's post today made me want to write something. I know this isn't short and to the point, but I don't know that I have a point! I wouldn't know what to ask for, and I don't even feel worth of asking. I just know how I had to say something.

Today, right this minute, we are okay. Thanks to our tax return, our bills are paid, we have a new vehicle that fits our family safely, I have no wants. In a few months, we'll fall behind again, and we'll make ends meet like we always do, someway. We'll be going back to school in the fall (if all goes well, we both will!), it'll be challenging, but it'll help us in the future. We have no wants in relation to college, because as of now we both have enough grants and scholarships to cover the cost. The only thing I wish that could happen would be to send my daughter to the Catholic school she attends for pre-school, but the cost for next year is just outrageous. Even with the payment plan offered, we'd never be able to afford it. So I pray that the local public school will fit her needs and that I'll be put at ease, because I feel horribly guilty. Even if we had the money now, her grade for next year is full and there is a waiting list already.

So I don't know what I'd even ask for. I just am grateful for this post today, because it has made me think, and maybe by reading the responses and the requests I'll be able to figure out how so many people can understand and hear God.

7 comments:

Jenny,Thank you for your very thought-filled post. As I read it, I thought I wish we could go for coffee and talk about some of the tough questions you asked...in the meantime...maybe emailing will do? I saw you put your email address there...so I'll email you and see if you want to dialog. You are a blessing and I am so thankful you were so honest...

Can I come to the coffee klatch with you and Linny? :) I can hear your heart's cry, and sense your longing for MORE...more of God, more of His love and joy. And it's all right there for the asking! And Linny...well, there's no one better than she to tell you about our amazing God. Bless you, Jenny...I will be praying for our Father to OVERFLOW in you! :)

Your post was some awesome!! Real and true.. I'm glad I came across it! I'll be praying for a real God expeirience for you... not that I can tell you what it would look like, feel like, or be like... I think its different for everyone.. but if you seek Him you will find Him! And man, He wants you to know Him! To find that "magical faith button" (ok... not really a magical button, but it seems that way sometimes). God truly wants to just hang out with you! Its weird, and it seems so foreign, but its definitly real. Anyways... I'll be praying for some amazing God-moments in the future. IN everyday life, and in the not so everyday!!! :O)Dana

i'm so glad you're asking these questions and seeking answers. i hope you take linny up on e-mailing. she is a beautiful example of our amazing big and wonderful God is. blessings to you as you walk this journey!

Thank you all so, so much for commenting! Linny, please do email me, I would love to talk with you! :)

And again, thank you all. I felt a little nervous after I posted - it's hard sometimes to put yourself completely out there! But in doing so, and reading all of your comments, and the other blogs on Linny's page, it has really opened my eyes and helped me begin to open more of my heart. Thank you so much. :)

I could have written this post a few years ago... it seems I never really knew if it was God speaking or if it was just something I wanted to do.

Let me encourage you to find a devotional book to read every day... that includes some Scripture. Also find a time for prayer (even 5 minutes) just you and God - it will be awkward at first, but God will meet you halfway.

I have noticed in learning to hear God that it was easiest through music... especially worship music. I just connect to God through it.

But I didnt actually hear His voice until I started fasting regularly... good stuff.

I am praying for you and would love to chat, through email, if you ever wanted to do that... much love.